6-AMIDO DERIVATIVES OF 4, 5-a EPOXYMORPHINANS FOR THE TREATMENT OF PAIN

ABSTRACT

Compounds of formula: 
     
       
         
         
             
             
         
       
     
     in which R 4  is chosen from substituted phenyl, optionally substituted naphthylene, optionally substituted anthracene and optionally substituted aromatic heterocycle, are useful as analgesics.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/879,809 filed Apr. 17, 2013. U.S. Ser. No. 13/879,809 was a nationalphase filing under 35 U.S.C. §371 of PCT International ApplicationPCT/US2011/056827, filed Oct. 19, 2011, and published under PCT Article21(2) in English as WO 2012/054566 on Apr. 26, 2012. PCT/US2011/056827claimed priority from U.S. provisional application 61/394,481, filedOct. 19, 2010. The entire contents of all are incorporated herein byreference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

The following invention was made with government support under contractsnumbers DA02615, DA06241 and DA00220R01 awarded by the NationalInstitutes of Health (NIH). The Government has certain rights in thisinvention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to opioid receptor binding 6-amido derivatives of4,5a-epoxymorphinans. The compounds are useful as analgesics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Opiates have been the subject of intense research since the isolation ofmorphine in 1805, and thousands of compounds having opiate oropiate-like activity have been identified. Many opioidreceptor-interactive compounds, including those used for producinganalgesia (e.g., morphine) and those used for treating drug addiction(e.g., methadone, buprenorphine and naltrexone) in humans work bytriggering μ opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS) and bycrossing the blood-brain barrier. However, as there are μ opioidreceptors outside the CNS, these opiates usually cause unwantedperipheral side effects. Often, the peripheral side effects manifestthemselves in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and the respiratorysystem. For instance, prolonged morphine administration often causesconstipation, and prolonged morphine administration ultimately causeslife-threatening respiratory depression in patients. Other side effectsappear to arise from the central action of morphine-like compounds.These central side effects of μ ligands include physical dependence(addiction) and sedation. Thus, a drug that is able to treat symptoms ofpain, but not cause some or all of the peripheral and central sideeffects, would be most valuable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The compounds of the invention are useful as analgesics having lessenedliability for constipation and respiratory depression.

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I:

whereinR¹ is chosen from

(a) C₂-C₁₀ hydrocarbon other than cyclopropylmethyl; and

(b) —CH₂—Het, wherein Het is a five- or six-membered heterocycle;

R² is chosen from hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)acyl, (C₁-C₆)oxaalkyl, and(C₁-C₆)acyloxaalky;R³ is chosen from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl;R⁴ is chosen from(a) phenyl substituted at other than 2 or 6 with from one to threesubstituents chosen from amino, bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro,cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxyand R¹⁰;(b) optionally substituted naphthylene;(c) optionally substituted anthracene;(d) optionally substituted aromatic heterocycle;R⁸ is chosen from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl;R¹⁰ is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted aromaticheterocycle or optionally substituted non-aromatic oxygen or sulfurheterocycle;

-   wherein the substituents on naphthylene, anthracene, heterocycle or    R¹⁰ are chosen independently from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,    (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)acyl and    (C₁-C₃)alkoxy.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a compound of formula II:

whereinR^(4a) is chosen from

wherein R^(5a) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₂-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰;

wherein R^(6a) is chosen from hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₂-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰;

wherein R⁵ is chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; and R^(6b)is chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰, or, takentogether, R⁵ and R^(6b) are alkylenedioxy, with the proviso that both R⁵and R^(6b) are not chloro or fluoro;

wherein R^(5b) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro,cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxyand R¹⁰; R⁶ is chosen from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,(C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy andR¹⁰; R⁷ is chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; and(e) napthylene substituted with from one to three substituents chosenfrom halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰;(f) anthracene optionally substituted with from one to threesubstituents chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰;(g) aromatic heterocycle other than unsubstituted pyridine, quinoline orisoquinoline, optionally substituted with from one to three substituentschosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a pharmaceutical compositioncomprising at least one compound of the formula above and apharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In another aspect, the invention relates to a method for reducing paincomprising administering to a subject suffering from pain an amount of acompound described above effective to reduce pain.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Analgesic compounds of the invention fall into two primary classes:compounds of general formula II, in which R¹ is cyclopropylmethyl, andcompounds of general formula I, in which R¹ is not cyclopropylmethyl.The compounds of general formula I include a series in which R¹ is allyland one in which R¹ is cyclobutylmethyl. When R¹ is —CH₂—Het, Het may betetrahydrofuranyl.

In one aspect, the invention relates to compounds of formula I:

Some embodiments of the invention can be represented by the formula:

which is a subset of formula I. In these compounds, R¹ iscyclobutylmethyl or allyl;R² is chosen from hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)acyl, (C₁-C₆)oxaalkyl, and(C₁-C₆)acyloxaalky;R³ is hydrogen or methyl;R⁴ is chosen from(a) phenyl substituted at other than 2 or 6 with from one to threesubstituents chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,(C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy andR¹⁰;(b) optionally substituted naphthylene;(c) optionally substituted anthracene;(d) aromatic heterocycle chosen from pyridine, thiophene, furan andpyrrole optionally substituted with from one to three substituentschosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy and (C₁-C₃)alkoxy;R⁸ is hydrogen; andR¹⁰ is optionally substituted phenyl, optionally substituted aromaticheterocycle or optionally substituted non-aromatic oxygen or sulfurheterocycle;wherein the substituents on naphthylene, anthracene, heterocycle or R¹⁰are chosen independently from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)acyl and (C₁-C₃)alkoxy.

In some embodiments of the compounds of formula II, R^(4a) is (g), anaromatic heterocycle other than unsubstituted pyridine, quinoline orisoquinoline, optionally substituted with from one to three substituentschosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰. In theseembodiments R^(4a) may also be other than pyridine monosubstituted withbromine, chlorine, methyl, methoxy or cyano. In these embodiments R^(4a)may also be other than unsubstituted pyrimidine, cinnoline quinazolineor pyridazine.

In some embodiments, the amide substituent at the oxymorphone 6 positionis in the β configuration and R⁸ is hydrogen:

In some embodiments R² is hydrogen; in others R² is chosen from CH₃,acetyl, acetoxymethyl, —CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)₃ and —CH₂OC(═O)OCH₃.

In some embodiments, R³ is hydrogen; in others R³ is methyl.

In some embodiments, R⁴ or R^(4a) is

In some of these embodiments, R^(5a) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₂-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰. In narrowerembodiments, R^(5a) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, trifluoromethyl,trifluoromethoxy and R¹⁰, and R¹⁰ is chosen from phenyl, furanyl andthiophenyl optionally substituted with one to three substituentsindependently chosen from halogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy,trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and acetyl. In some embodiments R^(5a)is iodo, either in its normal isotopic ratio or in a ratio enriched in¹²⁵I. In other embodiments, R⁴ or R^(4a) is

wherein R⁵ is chosen from halogen, nitro, cyano, methyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, phenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl;and R^(6b) is chosen from halogen, nitro, cyano, methyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, phenyl, thiophenyl andfuranyl. In one embodiment, R⁴ or R^(4a) is 3,4-diiodophenyl, which alsomay be enriched in ¹²⁵I.

In one embodiment, the amide substituent at the oxymorphone 6 positionis in the β configuration and R⁴ is phenyl substituted at other than 2or 6 with from one to three substituents chosen from bromo, chloro,iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰. In a narrower embodiment, R¹is cyclobutylmethyl or allyl; R³ is hydrogen or methyl; R⁸ is hydrogen;the amide substituent at the oxymorphone 6 position is in the βconfiguration and R⁴ is phenyl substituted at other than 2 or 6 withfrom one to three substituents chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy,nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy,(C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰. A preferred subgenus is that in which R⁴ isphenyl substituted at the 3- and 4-positions with two substituentschosen independently from bromo, chloro, iodo, methyl, trifluoromethyl,methoxy and trifluoromethoxy. An example is the compound in which R¹ isallyl; R² is H; R³ and R⁸ are hydrogen and R⁴ is 3,4-diiodophenyl. Inanother preferred subgenus, R⁴ is phenyl substituted at the 3- or4-position with a substituent chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, methyl,trifluoromethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethoxy and R¹⁰. R¹⁰ may be chosenfrom phenyl, furanyl and thiophenyl optionally substituted with one tothree substituents independently chosen from halogen, methyl,trifluoromethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and acetyl.In general, it appears that compounds in which R⁴ is substituted phenyldo not exhibit useful analgesic activity when the substituents are at 2and/or 6.

In another embodiment, the amide substituent at the oxymorphone 6position is in the β configuration and R⁴ is optionally substitutedquinoline. In some embodiments, R¹ is allyl; R² is H; R³ and R⁸ arehydrogen and R⁴ is optionally substituted quinoline.

As described above, R⁸ is chosen from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl.Preferred compounds are those in which R⁸ is hydrogen or methyl.

Pharmaceutical compositions in accord with the invention comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier and a compound as described above.

The compounds described above may be employed in a method for reducingpain. The method comprises administering to a subject suffering frompain an amount of a compound above effective to reduce pain. In thetreatment of pain, the pain may be reduced without substantial reductionof intestinal motility and/or without substantial respiratorydepression. The term “substantial” is intended to mean that theintestinal motility or respiration rate is reduced by at least 50% at adose that is the analgesic ED₅₀ for a naïve subject. The compounds mayalso be employed in a method for reducing pain in a μ-opioid-dependentpatient. The compounds may also be employed in assays for the kappa3receptor; radioiodinated compounds are particularly useful for thisassay.

DEFINITIONS

Throughout this specification the terms and substituents retain theirdefinitions.

Alkyl is intended to include linear or branched, or cyclic hydrocarbonstructures and combinations thereof. A combination would be, forexample, cyclopropylmethyl. Lower alkyl refers to alkyl groups of from 1to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of lower alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl,propyl, isopropyl, cyclopropyl, butyl, s- and t-butyl, cyclobutyl andthe like. Preferred alkyl groups are those of C₂₀ or below. Cycloalkylis a subset of alkyl and includes cyclic hydrocarbon groups of from 3 to8 carbon atoms. Examples of cycloalkyl groups include c-propyl, c-butyl,c-pentyl, norbornyl and the like.

Alkoxy or alkoxyl refers to groups of from 1 to 8 carbon atoms of astraight, branched, or cyclic configuration and combinations thereofattached to the parent structure through an oxygen. Examples includemethoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, cyclopropyloxy, cyclohexyloxy andthe like. Lower-alkoxy refers to groups containing one to four carbons.

Aryl and heteroaryl mean a 5- or 6-membered aromatic or heteroaromaticring containing 0-3 heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S; a bicyclic 9-or 10-membered aromatic or heteroaromatic ring system containing 0-3heteroatoms selected from O, N, or S; or a tricyclic 13- or 14-memberedaromatic or heteroaromatic ring system containing 0-3 heteroatomsselected from O, N, or S. The aromatic 6- to 14-membered carbocyclicrings include, e.g., benzene, naphthalene, indane, tetralin, andfluorene and the 5- to 10-membered aromatic heterocyclic rings include,e.g., imidazole, pyridine, indole, thiophene, benzopyranone, thiazole,furan, benzimidazole, quinoline, isoquinoline, quinoxaline, pyrimidine,pyrazine, tetrazole and pyrazole. As used herein aryl and heteroarylrefer to residues in which one or more rings are aromatic, but not allneed be.

Arylalkyl means an aryl ring attached to an alkyl residue in which thepoint of attachment to the parent structure is through the alkyl.Examples are benzyl, phenethyl and the like. Heteroarylalkyl means analkyl residue attached to a heteroaryl ring. Examples include, e.g.,pyridinylmethyl, pyrimidinylethyl and the like.

C₂ to C₁₀ hydrocarbon means a linear, branched, or cyclic residuecomprised of hydrogen and carbon as the only elemental constituents andincludes alkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl andcombinations thereof. Examples include benzyl, phenethyl,cyclohexylmethyl, cyclopropylmethyl, cyclobutylmethyl, allyl, camphoryland naphthylethyl.

Unless otherwise specified, the term “carbocycle” is intended to includering systems in which the ring atoms are all carbon but of any oxidationstate. Thus (C₃-C₁₀) carbocycle refers to both non-aromatic and aromaticsystems, including such systems as cyclopropane, benzene andcyclohexene; (C₈-C₁₂) carbopolycycle refers to such systems asnorbornane, decalin, indane and naphthalene. Carbocycle, if nototherwise limited, refers to monocycles, bicycles and polycycles.

Heterocycle means a cycloalkyl or aryl residue in which one to two ofthe carbons is replaced by a heteroatom such as oxygen, nitrogen orsulfur. Heteroaryls form a subset of heterocycles. Examples ofheterocycles include pyrrolidine, pyrazole, pyrrole, imidazole, indole,quinoline, isoquinoline, tetrahydroisoquinoline, benzofuran,benzodioxan, benzodioxole (commonly referred to as methylenedioxyphenyl,when occurring as a substituent), tetrazole, morpholine, thiazole,pyridine, pyridazine, pyrimidine, pyrazine, thiophene, furan, oxazole,oxazoline, isoxazole, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran and the like.

As used herein, the term “optionally substituted” may be usedinterchangeably with “unsubstituted or substituted”. The term“substituted” refers to the replacement of one or more hydrogen atoms ina specified group with a specified radical. For example, substitutedalkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heterocyclyl etc. refer to alkyl, aryl,cycloalkyl, or heterocyclyl wherein one or more H atoms in each residueare replaced with halogen, haloalkyl, alkyl, acyl, alkoxyalkyl,hydroxyloweralkyl, carbonyl, phenyl, heteroaryl, benzenesulfonyl,hydroxy, loweralkoxy, haloalkoxy, oxaalkyl, carboxy, alkoxycarbonyl[—C(═O)O-alkyl], alkoxycarbonylamino [HNC(═O)O-alkyl], carboxamido[—C(═O)NH₂], alkylaminocarbonyl [—C(═O)NH-alkyl], cyano, acetoxy, nitro,amino, alkylamino, dialkylamino, (alkyl)(aryl)aminoalkyl,alkylaminoalkyl (including cycloalkylaminoalkyl), dialkylaminoalkyl,dialkylaminoalkoxy, heterocyclylalkoxy, mercapto, alkylthio, sulfoxide,sulfone, sulfonylamino, alkylsulfinyl, alkylsulfonyl, acylaminoalkyl,acylaminoalkoxy, acylamino, amidino, aryl, benzyl, heterocyclyl,heterocyclylalkyl, phenoxy, benzyloxy, heteroaryloxy, hydroxyimino,alkoxyimino, oxaalkyl, aminosulfonyl, trityl, amidino, guanidino,ureido, benzyloxyphenyl, and benzyloxy. “Oxo” is also included among thesubstituents referred to in “optionally substituted”; it will beappreciated by persons of skill in the art that, because oxo is adivalent radical, there are circumstances in which it will not beappropriate as a substituent (e.g. on phenyl). In one embodiment, 1, 2or 3 hydrogen atoms are replaced with a specified radical. In the caseof alkyl and cycloalkyl, more than three hydrogen atoms can be replacedby fluorine; indeed, all available hydrogen atoms could be replaced byfluorine.

The compounds described herein contain one or more asymmetric centersand may thus give rise to enantiomers, diastereomers, and otherstereoisomeric forms that may be defined, in terms of absolutestereochemistry, as (R)— or (S)—. The present invention is meant toinclude all such possible isomers, as well as their racemic andoptically pure forms. It will be apparent that certain chiral centersare specified in compounds set forth in the claims. In these cases, thechiral centers that are not specified encompass both configurations;those that are specified encompass only the specified configuration.Optically active (R)— and (S)— isomers may be prepared using chiralsynthons or chiral reagents, or resolved using conventional techniques.When the compounds described herein contain olefinic double bonds orother centers of geometric asymmetry, and unless specified otherwise, itis intended that the compounds include both E and Z geometric isomers.Likewise, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included.

As used herein, and as would be understood by the person of skill in theart, the recitation of “a compound”—unless expressly further limited—isintended to include salts of that compound. In a particular embodiment,the term “compound of formula I” refers to the compound or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

The compounds of the invention may exist as salts, i.e. cationicspecies. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salt” refers to saltswhose counter ion (anion) derives from pharmaceutically acceptablenon-toxic acids including inorganic acids and organic acids. Suitablepharmaceutically acceptable acids for salts of the compounds of thepresent invention include, for example, acetic, adipic, alginic,ascorbic, aspartic, benzenesulfonic (besylate), benzoic, boric, butyric,camphoric, camphorsulfonic, carbonic, citric, ethanedisulfonic,ethanesulfonic, ethylenediaminetetraacetic, formic, fumaric,glucoheptonic, gluconic, glutamic, hydrobromic, hydrochloric,hydroiodic, hydroxynaphthoic, isethionic, lactic, lactobionic,laurylsulfonic, maleic, malic, mandelic, methanesulfonic, mucic,naphthylenesulfonic, nitric, oleic, pamoic, pantothenic, phosphoric,pivalic, polygalacturonic, salicylic, stearic, succinic, sulfuric,tannic, tartaric acid, teoclatic, p-toluenesulfonic, and the like.

It will be recognized that the compounds of this invention can exist inradiolabeled form, i.e., the compounds may contain one or more atomscontaining an atomic mass or mass number different from the atomic massor mass number usually found in nature. Alternatively, a plurality ofmolecules of a single structure may include at least one atom thatoccurs in an isotopic ratio that is different from the isotopic ratiofound in nature. Radioisotopes of hydrogen, carbon, phosphorous,fluorine, chlorine and iodine include ²H, ³H, ¹¹C, ¹³C, ¹⁴C, ¹⁵N, ³⁵S,¹⁸F, ³⁶Cl, ¹²⁵I, ¹²⁴I and ¹³¹I respectively. Compounds that containthose radioisotopes and/or other radioisotopes of other atoms are withinthe scope of this invention. Tritiated, i.e. ³H, and carbon-14, i.e.,¹⁴C, radioisotopes are particularly preferred for their ease inpreparation and detectability. Compounds that contain isotopes ¹¹C, ¹³N,¹⁵O, ¹²⁴I and ¹⁸F are well suited for positron emission tomography.Radiolabeled compounds of formulae I and II of this invention andprodrugs thereof can generally be prepared by methods well known tothose skilled in the art. Conveniently, such radiolabeled compounds canbe prepared by carrying out the procedures disclosed in the Examples andSchemes by substituting a readily available radiolabeled reagent for anon-radiolabeled reagent.

Although this invention is susceptible to embodiment in many differentforms, preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. It should beunderstood, however, that the present disclosure is to be considered asan exemplification of the principles of this invention and is notintended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. It maybe found upon examination that certain members of the claimed genus arenot patentable to the inventors in this application. In this event,subsequent exclusions of species from the compass of applicants' claimsare to be considered artifacts of patent prosecution and not reflectiveof the inventors' concept or description of their invention; theinvention encompasses all of the members of the genera I and II that arenot already in the possession of the public.

While it may be possible for the compounds of formula I or II to beadministered as the raw chemical, it is preferable to present them as apharmaceutical composition. According to a further aspect, the presentinvention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound offormula I or II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or solvatethereof, together with one or more pharmaceutically carriers thereof andoptionally one or more other therapeutic ingredients. The carrier(s)must be “acceptable” in the sense of being compatible with the otheringredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipientthereof. The compositions may be formulated for oral, topical orparenteral administration. For example, they may be given intravenously,intraarterially, subcutaneously, and directly into the CNS—eitherintrathecally or intracerebroventricularly.

Formulations include those suitable for oral, parenteral (includingsubcutaneous, intradermal, intramuscular, intravenous andintraarticular), rectal and topical (including dermal, buccal,sublingual and intraocular) administration. The compounds are preferablyadministered orally or by injection (intravenous or subcutaneous). Theprecise amount of compound administered to a patient will be theresponsibility of the attendant physician. However, the dose employedwill depend on a number of factors, including the age and sex of thepatient, the precise disorder being treated, and its severity. Also, theroute of administration may vary depending on the condition and itsseverity. The formulations may conveniently be presented in unit dosageform and may be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art ofpharmacy. In general, the formulations are prepared by uniformly andintimately bringing into association the active ingredient with liquidcarriers or finely divided solid carriers or both and then, ifnecessary, shaping the product into the desired formulation.

Formulations of the present invention suitable for oral administrationmay be presented as discrete units such as capsules, cachets or tabletseach containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient; as apowder or granules; as a solution or a suspension in an aqueous liquidor a non-aqueous liquid; or as an oil-in-water liquid emulsion or awater-in-oil liquid emulsion. The active ingredient may also bepresented as a bolus, electuary or paste.

A tablet may be made by compression or molding, optionally with one ormore accessory ingredients. Compressed tablets may be prepared bycompressing in a suitable machine the active ingredient in afree-flowing form such as a powder or granules, optionally mixed with abinder, lubricant, inert diluent, lubricating, surface active ordispersing agent. Molded tablets may be made by molding in a suitablemachine a mixture of the powdered compound moistened with an inertliquid diluent. The tablets may optionally be coated or scored and maybe formulated so as to provide sustained, delayed or controlled releaseof the active ingredient therein.

Formulations for parenteral administration include aqueous andnon-aqueous sterile injection solutions which may contain anti-oxidants,buffers, bacteriostats and solutes which render the formulation isotonicwith the blood of the intended recipient. Formulations for parenteraladministration also include aqueous and non-aqueous sterile suspensions,which may include suspending agents and thickening agents. Theformulations may be presented in unit-dose or multi-dose containers, forexample sealed ampoules and vials, and may be stored in a freeze-dried(lyophilized) condition requiring only the addition of a sterile liquidcarrier, for example saline, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) or thelike, immediately prior to use. Extemporaneous injection solutions andsuspensions may be prepared from sterile powders, granules and tabletsof the kind previously described.

Formulations for rectal administration may be presented as a suppositorywith the usual carriers such as cocoa butter or polyethylene glycol.

Formulations for topical administration in the mouth, for examplebuccally or sublingually, include lozenges comprising the activeingredient in a flavoured basis such as sucrose and acacia ortragacanth, and pastilles comprising the active ingredient in a basissuch as gelatin and glycerin or sucrose and acacia.

Preferred unit dosage formulations are those containing an effectivedose, as herein below recited, or an appropriate fraction thereof, ofthe active ingredient.

It should be understood that in addition to the ingredients particularlymentioned above, the formulations of this invention may include otheragents conventional in the art having regard to the type of formulationin question, for example those suitable for oral administration mayinclude flavoring agents.

As used herein, “treatment” or “treating,” or “palliating” or“ameliorating” are used interchangeably herein. These terms refers to anapproach for obtaining beneficial or desired results including but notlimited to therapeutic benefit and/or a prophylactic benefit. Bytherapeutic benefit is meant eradication or amelioration of theunderlying disorder being treated. Also, a therapeutic benefit isachieved with the eradication or amelioration of one or more of thephysiological systems associated with the underlying disorder such thatan improvement is observed in the patient, notwithstanding that thepatient may still be afflicted with the underlying disorder. Forprophylactic benefit, the compositions may be administered to a patientat risk of developing a particular disease, or to a patient reportingone or more of the physiological systems of a disease, even though adiagnosis of this disease may not have been made.

ABBREVIATIONS

The following abbreviations and terms have the indicated meaningsthroughout:

Ac=acetylBoc=t-butyloxy carbonylBOP=benzotriazol-1-yloxy-tris(dimethylamino)phosphoniumhexafluorophosphateBu=butylc-=cycloDCM=dichloromethane=methylene chloride=CH₂Cl₂DIEA=diisopropylethylamine

DMF=N,N-dimethylformamide

DMSO=dimethyl sulfoxideDOR=delta opioid receptorEtOAc=ethyl acetateEtOH=ethanolGC=gas chromatographyHOAc=acetic acidKOR=kappa opioid receptorMe=methylMOR=mu opioid receptorMTBE=methyl t-butyl etherPEG=polyethylene glycolPh=phenylPhOH=phenolrt=room temperaturesat′d=saturateds-=secondaryt- or tert-=tertiaryTBDMS=t-butyldimethylsilylTFA=trifluoroacetic acidTHF=tetrahydrofuranTMS=trimethylsilyltosyl=p-toluenesulfonyl

Pharmacological and Behavioral Assays

Receptor-Binding Assays: Competition-binding assays in MOR-CHO (mu),DOR-CHO (delta) and KOR-CHO (kappa) were performed at 25° C. in 50 mMpotassium phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, containing 5 mM magnesium sulfate(only in the case of CHO-MOR). Specific binding was defined as thedifference between total binding and nonspecific binding, determined inthe presence of 8 μM levallorphan. 125I-SMGP1 (IBNtxA) was used as theuniversal radioligand to determine the relative affinity of drugs inMOR1-CHO, KOR1-CHO and DOR1-CHO. Protein concentrations were generally20-40 μg/mL, incubation times were 150 minutes for all assays. (Majumdaret al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2011, 21(13), 4001-4004). Kappa3 opioidreceptor competition binding assays were carried out in whole brainmembrane homogenates, performed at 25° C. in 50 mM potassium phosphatebuffer, pH 7.4, containing 5 mM magnesium sulfate for 90 minutes inpresence of 100 nM CTAP, 100 nM U50488h and 100 nM DPDPE. ¹²⁵I-SMGP1 wasused as the radioligand in the assays, typically 500 micrograms ofprotein and 0.15 nM of the radioligand was used in a 0.5 mL assay.Specific binding was defined as the difference between total binding andnonspecific binding, determined in the presence of 1 μM levallorphan.Protein concentration was determined as described by Lowry et al. [JBiol Chem 1951, 193, 265-275; (1951)] using bovine serum albumin as thestandard. Kd, Bmax, and Ki values were calculated by nonlinearregression analysis (GraphPadPrism). We have observed that compoundsthat bind with the kappa3 site and that exhibit K_(i) less than 100 nMexhibit useful analgesia, and compounds that are selective for kappa3exhibit improved side-effect profiles. The “kappa3 opioid receptor” asreferred to herein is the receptor first characterized by Clark et al.[J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 251, 461-468 (1989)]. This receptor appears tobe the same receptor which has been alternately referred to as thekappa2b receptor by Rothman et al. [Peptides 11, 311-331 (1990)]. In anyevent, it can be characterized by the high affinity binding (K_(i)<1 nM)for levallorphan, ketocyclazocine and SMGP1 and low affinity formorphine (K_(i)>1 μM), norbinaltorphimine (K_(i)>50 nM) and DADL(K_(i)>50 nM).

Tail Flick Analgesia Assays: Male CD-i mice (25-35 g; Charles RiverBreeding Laboratories, Wilmington, Mass.) were maintained on a 12-hrlight/dark cycle with Purina rodent chow and water available ad libitum.Mice were housed in groups of five until testing. Analgesia wasdetermined using the radiant heat tail-flick technique [D'Amour andSmith, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther. 72: 74-79 (1941)]. For the tail-flickassay, the latency to withdraw the tail from a focused light stimuluswas measured electronically using a photocell. Baseline latencies(2.0-3.0 sec) were determined before experimental treatments for allanimals as the mean of two trials. Post-treatment tail-flick latencieswere determined as indicated for each experiment, and a maximal latencyof 10 sec for tail-flick was used to minimize tissue damage. Allexperiments were replicated at least twice with each group in eachexperiment containing at least 10 mice and the combined results of allreplications presented. Compounds with an ED₅₀ less than 10 mg/kg arepreferred because the potency allows for smaller dosages, but higherED₅₀'s are possible.

Gastrointestinal motility assay: Gastrointestinal transit was determinedas described by Paul and Pasternak [Eur. J. Pharmacol. 149 (1988), pp.403-404.)]. In brief, after withholding food for 8 hours, animalsreceived the indicated drug and then were given a charcoal meal (0.2 mL;10% of purified charcoal and 2.5% of gum tragacanth, w/v) by gavage andwere sacrificed 30 min later. The distance traveled by the charcoal mealwas then measured and reported in centimeters.

Conditional place preference/Aversion and Locomotor activity: Thetesting apparatus consisted of two compartments of equal size separatedby a wall with a guillotine-style door (MedAssociates ENV-512 insert).One compartment was surrounded by white walls and had a rod floor, whilethe other had black walls and a grid floor. Infrared photobeams liningthe floor of the compartments were used to track the location of themouse at all times; this data was used to calculate the total distancetraveled by the animal using MedAssociates Activity Monitor software.This data is expressed as the distance each animal traveled followingeach drug injection divided by the average distance traveled by thatanimal following saline injection.

For 2 days prior to testing, the animal cages were brought to thetesting room for 3 hours for habituation to the environment. On thepre-conditioning test day, animals are placed in one chamber and allowedto explore both sides freely for 20 minutes. Their baseline preferencesfor each compartment are calculated; in the place preference experiment,the side in which they spend more time in initially is assigned tosaline, while the opposite side is designated as the drug-paired side.For place aversion, the initially preferred side is paired with drug,while the other side is assigned to saline. During the conditioningphase of the experiment, animals are allowed to habituate to theexperimental room for 1 hour prior to each session. Animals are injectedon alternating days for 8 days with either drug or saline and restrictedto one compartment for 20 minutes so that they learn to associate atreatment condition with a specific compartment. On thepost-conditioning testing day, animals are placed in the side pairedwith saline and allowed to freely explore both compartments for 20minutes. The time spent in each compartment post-conditioning iscalculated and subtracted from the amount of time spent in eachcompartment pre-conditioning to determine the change in each animals'preference due to conditioning.

Determination of LD₅₀: Lethality was determined 60 minutes after theadministration of test compound (250 mg/kg) to groups of mice (n=8). SeeGistrak et al. The Journal of Pharmacology and ExperimentalTherapeutics. 251, 469-476 (1989).

Tolerance studies: Groups of mice (n=10) were treated with eithermorphine (6 mg/kg s.c.) or test compound (1 mg/kg s.c.) twice daily for5 days. Tail-flick latencies were determined before and 30 minutes aftereach injection. See Gistrak et al. (1989) op. cit. Effects of Chronicadministration: Mice were pelleted with morphine pellets (75 mg freebase; NIDA) and tested for analgesia on Day 1 and 3. On Day 3 they alsowere tested with test compound (1 mg/kg, s.c.) for analgesia and withnaloxone (1 mg/kg, s.c.) to precipitate withdrawal. A separate group ofmice received test compound alone as a control for its analgesia in themorphine-tolerant mice. Similarly, a group of mice (n=10) were madetolerant to test compound by twice daily injections to 1 mg/kg, s.c. for10 days. On Day 10 they also were tested with test compound (1 mg/kg,s.c.) for analgesia and with naloxone (1 mg/kg, s.c.) and levallorphan(1 mg/kg) to precipitate withdrawal. Animals were evaluated for signs ofdiarrhea and jumping. See Gistrak et al. (1989) op. cit.

Respiratory Depression assessment: The MouseOx Pulse Oximeter system(Starr Life Sciences, Pittsburgh, Pa.) was used to assess respiratoryrate in awake, freely-moving, adult male CD1 mice. For 30 minutes, eachanimal was habituated to the device using a blank collar, after whichthe oximeter collar was placed on the animal. A five-second averagebreath rate was assessed at 5 minute intervals. A baseline for eachanimal was obtained over a 25 minute period prior to drug injection;beginning 15 minutes post-injection, measurements were then taken for aperiod of 35 minutes. Groups of mice (n=5) were treated subcutaneouslywith either morphine or test compound and breath rates were measured forboth sets. At doses that are five times the ED₅₀ of each compound, i.e.2.5 mg/kg for SMGP1 and 20 mg/kg for morphine, morphine showed 50%respiratory depression whereas SMGP1 showed no statistically significantdepression as compared to saline.

Representative results of these studies are outlined in Table 1.

TABLE 1

Tail flick analgesia K_(i) (nM) ED₅₀ Compd R₁ R₂ R₃ R₄ ^(a) MOR KOR DORkappa₃ (mg/kg) SMGP 1 —CH₂cPropyl H H Ph-3I 0.11 0.03 0.24 0.16 0.53SMGP 2 —CH₃ H H Ph-3I 0.97 47.22 2.45 41.22 >10 SMGP 3 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H HPh-3I 0.22 0.08 2.55 0.25 0.57 SMGP 4 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3I^(b) 5.0712.16 7.642 8.46 5.0 SMGP 5 —CH₂CH₂CH₃ H H Ph-3I 60 SMGP 6 —CH₂cButyl HH Ph-3I 0.88 0.67 2.38 11.44 SMGP 7 —Bz H H Ph-3I SMGP 8 —CH₂CH═CH₂ CH₃H Ph-3I >100 >100 >100 >100 >10 SMGP 9 —CH₂C₃H₅ CH₃ H Ph-3I SMGP 10 —CH₃CH₃ H Ph-3I SMGP 11 —CH₂CH═CH₂ COCH₃ H Ph-3I SMGP 12 —CH₂CH═CH₂ CH₂OCCH₃H Ph-3I SMGP 13 —CH₂CH═CH₂ CH₂OCCH₃ H Ph-3I SMGP 14 —CH₂CH═CH₂CH₂OCOC(CH₃)₃ H Ph-3I SMGP 15 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H CH₃ Ph-3I SMGP 16 —CH₂CH═CH₂H H Ph-2I 1.56 1 22.8 29 >10 SMGP 17 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4I 0.11 0.28 3.360.64 0.16 SMGP 18 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3F 0.47 2.05 18.19 8.09 3.24 SMGP 19—CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3Cl 1.15 0.52 4.87 5.49 2.3 SMGP 20 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H HPh-3Br 3.85 1.58 23.37 2.05 1.36 SMGP 21 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-H 4.03 14.2760.78 5.82 5 SMGP 22 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3CH₃ 0.29 1.62 8.24 8.98 2 SMGP23 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3CF₃ 0.85 0.22 2.96 9.32 0.26 SMGP 24 —CH₂CH═CH₂ HH Ph-3OCH₃ 0.18 4.97 17.22 1.64 0.1 SMGP 25 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3NH₂ 0.430.4 36 7.62 >10 SMGP 26 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph- 6.39 34.9 51.35 10.79 >103N(CH₃)₂ SMGP 27 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3OH 0.23 2.75 11.25 5.21 10.3 SMGP 28—CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3NO₂ 1.41 1.51 18.13 4.53 6.79 SMGP 29 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H HPh-4OCF₃ 0.66 3.16 17.88 7.43 0.82 SMGP 30 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4OC₄H₉ >10SMGP 31 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4Boronic >10 acid pinacol ester SMGP 32—CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4CH₂- tButyl SMGP 33 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph- 4Si(OC₂H₅)₃SMGP 34 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3,4-I,I 0.5 0.05 0.12 0.004 0.05 SMGP 35—CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3,4,5- I,I,I SMGP 36 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3,4- >10 O₂C₂H₄SMGP 37 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3,4- >10 O₂CH₂ SMGP 38 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3,4-(OC₂H₅)₂ SMGP 39 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-3,4- (OC₂H₄CF₃)₂ SMGP 40 —CH₂CH═CH₂ HH Ph—Ph 0.95 25.79 19.15 7.17 12.5 SMGP 41 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H C₁₄H₁₀ 0.741.29 5.51 6.64 1.47 SMGP 42 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-cHexane 1.55 49.78 45.057.22 >10 SMGP 43 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H PhCH₂Ph SMGP 44 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H PhOPhSMGP 45 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Anthracene SMGP 46 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph—Ph—Ph SMGP47 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H 2-Quinoline 0.2 0.5 150 0.01 0.04 SMGP 48 —CH₂CH═CH₂ HH Ph- 4Benzofuran SMGP 49 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph- 4Thiophene SMGP 50—CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph- 4Benzopyrrole SMGP 51 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4(2- >10Furan) SMGP 52 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4(2- Thiophene) SMGP 53 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H HPh-4(2- Pyrrole) SMGP 54 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H CH₃ 20.46 >100 >100 >100 >10SMGP 55 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H C₆H₁₃ 9.5 9.15 32.2 29.65 >10 SMGP 56 —CH₂CH═CH₂H H C₁₂H₂₅ 0.61 9.35 32.2 29.65 >10 SMGP 57 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H cHexane 11.5417.9 >100 30.17 >10 SMGP 58 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Adamantane 6.5 7.1 >10030.27 >10 SMGP 59 —CH₂CH═CH₂ H H Ph-4-SCH₃ 0.8 3.67 15.87 4.08 5.43^(a)Beta isomer ^(b)Alpha isomer

Compound SMGP1, which had both high affinity and high selectivity forkappa3 receptors, was examined more extensively. Compound SMGP1 is avery potent analgesic in mice, having a potency greater than morphine.However, the pharmacology of the drug differed from morphine in a numberof important criteria. Naloxone is an effective antagonist, capable ofreversing morphine and virtually all the clinically used opiates.However, naloxone was far less potent in reversing the analgesiaelicited by SMGP1, and a series of antagonists selective againsttraditional mu, delta, kappa1 and ORL1 drugs were inactive. Levallorphanis an opioid antagonist structurally analogous to the opioid agonistlevorphanol. Like levorphanol, levallorphan has high affinity for thekappa3 site. Thus, it was not surprising that levallorphan effectivelyreversed the analgesic actions of compound 1. This confirms the opioidnature of the response. Chronic administration of morphine rapidly leadsto a diminished response, or tolerance.

Compound SMGP1 also showed some tolerance with chronic administration,although it appeared more slowly than that seen with morphine. However,SMGP1 showed no cross tolerance to morphine. When given to highlymorphine tolerant mice, SMGP1 showed a normal analgesic response.Following chronic administration, all animals administered morphine showprompt and dramatic signs of withdrawal, a measure of physicaldependence, when challenged with an antagonist. In contrast, chronicadministration of SMGP1 led to no physical dependence. Naloxone did notprecipitate withdrawal, which was expected since it also did not reversethe analgesia at this dose and had poor affinity for the binding site.However, levallorphan also did not precipitate withdrawal despite itsability to reverse analgesia, clearly distinguishing SMGP1 fromclinically available opioids. Unlike other kappa drugs currentlyavailable clinically, SMGP1 could be used in conjunction withtraditional opiates regardless of how long a patient had been takingthem, i.e. they could be used to reduce pain in a μ-opioid-dependentpatient. The effect of SMGP1 on the inhibition of gastrointestinaltransit was minimal. This is in marked contrast to morphine. Based uponthese observations, a person of skill would conclude that SMGP1 wouldhave minimal constipation liability.

Compounds of the invention may be synthesized via the following generalroute:

This synthesis may be extended for compounds in which R² is other thanhydrogen:

Detailed descriptions of the synthesis of representative compounds ofthe invention follow:

General Procedures: All reactions were carried out under positivenitrogen atmosphere with a magnetic stirrer at ambient temperaturesusing oven dried glassware. ¹H-NMR were taken on a 500 MHz Brukerinstrument using CDCl₃ as solvent. Silica gel (230-400 mesh) was used incolumn chromatography.

The ketone at the 6-position of the three opiates was transformed to anamine (Opiate-NH₂) by reductive amination using NaBH₃CN and NH₄OAc toyield a mixture of beta and alpha isomers. The beta and alpha isomerswere purified by column chromatography. In a parallel synthesis,substituted carboxylic acids were converted to N-succinimidyl ester byreacting it with N-hydroxysuccinimide in presence of DCC and THF. Thecorresponding activated ester was then reacted with the beta or alphaisomer of the Opiate-NH₂ in presence of DIEA and DCM. The aroyl amidoderivatives of opiates were then purified by column chromatography.Alternatively, the substituted carboxylic acids were directly coupled tothe Opiate-NH₂ using BOP and DIEA in DCM to give 3,6-diaroylatedderivatives. The 3,6-diaroyl opiate derivatives were then subjected tobasic hydrolysis with K₂CO₃ to yield 6-aroyl derivatives ofnaltrexamine, naloxamine and oxymorphanamine.

Reductive amination of naltrexone, naloxone and oxymorphone was carriedout using a literature protocol published by Portoghese and co-workers(J Med Chem 1977(20), 8, 1100). Typically, 10 g of opiate (30 mmol), wasstirred with NH₄OAc (22 g, 0.3 mol, 10 eqv) in 40 mL dry methanol for 10minutes at room temperature. NaBH₃CN (1.31 g, 21 mmol, 0.7 eqv) in 5 mLdry methanol was then added to the reaction mixture and contents stirredovernight. The reaction was quenched by addition of 10 mL 1N NaOH, thesolvents were evaporated on a rotavapor at 40° C. The residue was thenextracted with 30 mL DCM three times; the organic extracts were combinedand washed with 25 mL water. The organic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄and concentrated to a white solid, which was purified by silica gelcolumn chromatography. The reaction gave a mixture of alpha and betaisomers. The respective isomers were isolated by column chromatographyusing 87:10:3 of EtOAc:MeOH:NH₄OH as the eluent. The beta isomer had ahigher R_(f) than the alpha isomer on a TLC plate and eluted first whenthe mixture was subjected to column chromatography. Yields for betaisomer were about 2.5-3 g (25-30%). NMR peaks of the compounds matchedthe literature values.

N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) esters of substituted carboxylic acids weresynthesized as follows: Substituted carboxylic acid (7.8 mmol), NHS (1g, 8.6 mmol, 1.1 eqv), DCC (1.79 g, 8.6 mmol, 1.1 eqv) in 20 mL dry THFwere stirred overnight. The white suspension was filtered and the clearfilterate was evaporated on a rotavapor at 40° C. The white solid seenwas purified by column chromatography using EtOAc/hexanes as eluents. Asinglet at δ2.9 integrating to 4 protons in ¹H-NMR and corresponding tofour protons of succinimide was seen in all NHS esters of substitutedcarboxylic acids. Yields were about 80-100%.

Aroylations of naltrexamine, naloxamine and oxymorphonamine were carriedout as follows: Procedure I: Opiate-NH₂ (200 mg, 0.6 mmol) was reactedwith DIEA (116 ul, 0.66 mmol, 1.1 eqv) and NHS esters of substitutedcarboxylic acids (0.66 mmol, 1.1 eqv) in dry DCM (5 mL) for 2 h. Thereaction was diluted to 20 mL with DCM and washed with 5 mL water. Theorganic extracts were dried over Na₂SO₄ and then concentrated to a whitesolid, which was purified by silica gel column chromatography using 1-5%MeOH:DCM as eluents. Yields of the target compounds were 50-75%.

Alternate procedure II: Opiate-NH₂ (200 mg, 0.6 mmol) was reacted withBOP (271 mg, 1.2 mmol, 2 eqv), DIEA (313 ul, 1.8 mmol, 3 eqv) andsubstituted carboxylic acid (1.2 mmol, 2 eqv) in dry DCM (5 mL) for 2 h.The reaction mixture poured into a small silica gel column and elutedwith 100 mL EtOAc. The ethyl acetate fraction was evaporated and a whitesolid was obtained. The solid obtained was hydrolyzed in K₂CO₃ and MeOH.Briefly, the contents, usually a white suspension were stirred withK₂CO₃ (622 mg, 4.22 mmol, 7 eqv) and MeOH for 3 h. The white suspensionseen was filtered and the filterate concentrated to a yellowish oil or awhite solid. The oily residue or white solid obtained was then purifiedby column chromatography using 1-5% MeOH: DCM as the eluent. Typicalyields were around 65%.

Synthesis of Individual Embodiments

SMGP1: Compound SMGP1 was synthesized according to the general procedure(I) described above using β-naltrexamine, NHS ester of 3-iodobenzoicacid and DIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.16 (s,1H), 7.8-7.74 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.34 (d, 1H), 7.14-7.11 (m, 1H), 6.68-6.67(d, 1H), 6.56-6.54 (d, 1H), 4.59 (d, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H), 3.15-3.0 (m,2H), 2.67-2.61 (m, 2H), 2.39-2.36 (m, 2H), 2.26-2.19 (m, 2H), 1.19 (m,1H), 1.59-1.47 (m, 4H), 0.84 (m, 1H), 0.5 (m, 2H), 0.13 (m, 2H). ESI-MSm/z: 573.2 (MH⁺).

SMGP2: Compound SMGP2 was synthesized according to the general procedure(I) described above using β-oxymorphanamine, NHS ester of 3-iodobenzoicacid and DIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained. ¹H-NMR δ: 8.13 (s,1H), 7.8-7.78 (d, 2H), 7.76-7.76 (d, 1H), 7.14-7.11 (m, 1H), 6.73-6.71(d, 1H), 6.57-6.59 (d, 1H), 4.55 (d, 1H), 4.12 (m, 1H), 3.16-3.12 (m,1H), 2.88 (m, 1H), 2.65-2.62 (m, 1H), 2.47 (m, 1H), 2.36 (s, 3H),2.25-2.22 (m, 2H), 1.9-1.25 (m, 5H). ESI-MS m/z: 533.13 (MH⁺).

SMGP3: SMGP 3 was synthesized according to the general procedure (I)described above using β-naloxamine, NHS ester of 3-iodobenzoic acid andDIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 75%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz,CDCl₃) δ: 8.16 (s, 1H), 7.8 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.76 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1H),7.15-7.11 (m, 1H), 6.69 (d, J=10.6 Hz, 1H), 6.57 (d, J=10.6 Hz, 1H), 5.8(m, 1H), 5.23-5.16 (m, 2H), 4.57 (d, J=8.85 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (m, 1H),3.14-1.2, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 165.4, 142.9, 140.3, 139.2,136.4, 136.2, 135.2, 130.6, 130.1, 126.1, 124.7, 119.3, 118.1, 117.6,94.3, 92.9, 70.2, 62.4, 57.8, 50.5, 47.3, 43.6, 31.5, 29.0, 23.2, 22.7ppm. ESI-MS m/z: 559.1 (MH⁺). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄I (MH+),559.1094. Found, 559.1099.

SMGP4: SMGP4 was synthesized according to the general procedure (I)described above using α-naloxamine, NHS ester of 3-iodobenzoic acid andDIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 73%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz,CDCl₃) δ: 8.01 (s, 1H), 7.78 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 7.66 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1H),7.11 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1H), 6.70 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H),6.37 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 5.80 (m, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=18.5 Hz, 1H), 5.15 (d,J=10.9 Hz, 1H), 4.74 (m, 2H), 3.50-1.00 (m, 15H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (600 MHz,CDCl₃) δ: 165.5, 145.1, 140.3, 137.2, 136.6, 136.0, 135.2, 130.8, 130.1,126.3, 125.9, 119.4, 118.0, 117.3, 94.2, 90.1, 69.7, 62.3, 58.1, 47.2,46.7, 42.9, 33.3, 28.9, 23.0, 21.0 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z (%) 559 (MH+). HRMScalcd for C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄I (MH+), 559.1094. Found, 559.1107.

SMGP8: SMGP8 was synthesized according to the general procedure (I)described above using 3-OMe-β-naloxamine, NHS ester of 3-iodobenzoicacid and DIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 36%; ¹H-NMR δ:8.19 (s, 1H), 7.8 (m, 1H), 7.42 (m, 1H), 7.16 (m, 1H), 6.75 (d, J=10 Hz,1H), 6.66 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 5.85 (m, 1H), 5.18 (m, 2H), 4.61 (d, 1H),4.08 (m, 1H), 3.85 (s, 2H), 3.15-0.1 (m, 14H). MS (ESI) m/z (%) 573(MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₇H₃₀N₂O₄I (MH+), 573.1250. Found, 573.1252.

SMGP16: SMGP16 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 2-iodobenzoic acid, BOP and DIEA inDCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 60%;¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.87 (d, J=8.35 Hz, 1H), 7.42 (d, J=8.35,1H), 7.38-7.36 (m, 1H), 7.11-7.08 (m, 1H), 6.75 (d, J=8.35, 1H), 6.6 (d,J=8.35, 1H), 6.41 (m, 1H), 5.78 (m, 1H), 5.14 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, J=8.35,1H), 4.17 (m, 1H), 3.49-1.26 (m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ:169.2, 142.9, 142.2, 139.9, 139.6, 135.2, 131.1, 130.8, 128.3, 128.2,124.8, 119.3, 118.0, 117.6, 93.2, 92.4, 70.2, 62.4, 57.7, 50.8, 47.5,43.6, 31.0, 29.5, 23.5, 22.7 ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 559 (MH+). HRMS calcdfor C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄I (MH+), 559.1094. Found, 559.1115.

SMGP17: SMGP17 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 4-iodobenzoic acid, BOP and DIEA inDCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 43%;¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.78 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 2H), 7.53 (d, J=9.8 Hz,2H), 6.7 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H), 6.57 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H), 5.82 (m, 1H),5.23-5.2 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 4.23 (m, 1H), 3.19-1.5 (m,14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, Methanol-d4) δ 169.3, 143.8, 143.1, 139.0,138.9, 135.1, 130.3, 130.0, 99.4, 91.9, 71.4, 64.7, 56.7, 53.3, 49.6,47.7, 45.8, 31.1, 28.9, 24.6, 24.0 ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 559 (MH+). HRMScalcd for C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄I (MH+), 559.1094. Found, 559.1099.

SMGP18: SMGP18 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-fluorobenzoic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:70%, ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.59 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (d, J=9.2Hz, 1H), 7.41-7.36 (m, 2H), 7.21-7.17 (m, 1H), 6.73 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H),6.59 (d, J=10 Hz, 1H), 5.81 (m, 1H), 5.23-5.16 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, J=9.2Hz, 1H), 4.25 (m, 1H), 3.14-1.28 (m, 14H). MS(ESI) m/z (%) 451 (MH+).HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄F (MH+), 451.2033. Found, 451.2031.

SMGP19: SMGP19 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-chlorobenzoic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:72%, ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.82 (s, 1H), 7.69 (d, J=7.85 Hz, 1H),7.47 (d, J=7.85 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.35 (m, 1H), 6.73 (d, J=8.05 Hz, 1H),6.59 (d, J=8.05 Hz, 1H), 5.82-5.81 (m, 1H), 5.2-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.51-4.5(d, J=5 Hz, 1H), 4.25 (m, 1H), 3.14-1.28 (m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz,CDCl₃) δ 165.7, 142.9, 139.2, 136.1, 135.2, 134.6, 131.5, 130.5, 129.8,127.5, 125.1, 124.7, 119.3, 118.1, 117.6, 92.7, 70.3, 62.4, 57.8, 50.5,47.2, 43.6, 31.6, 29.0, 23.2, 22.7 ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 467 (MH+). HRMScalcd for C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄Cl (MH+), 467.1738. Found, 467.1737.

SMGP20: SMGP20 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-bromobenzoic acid, BOP and DIEA inDCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 70%;¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.96 (s, 1H), 7.72 (d, J=8.75 Hz, 1H), 7.61(d, J=8.75 Hz, 1H), 7.31-7.28 (m, 1H), 7.24-7.22 (m, 1H), 6.72 (d,J=8.75 Hz, 1H), 6.58 (d, J=8.75 Hz, 1H), 5.8 (m, 1H), 5.23-5.16 (m, 2H),4.52 (d, J=8.75 Hz, 1H), 4.18 (m, 1H), 3.14-1.5 (m, 14H). MS (ESI) m/z(%) 511 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₂₈N₂O₄Br (MH+), 511.1232. Found,511.1250.

SMGP 21: SMGP 21 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, benzoic acid, BOP and DIEA in DCMfollowed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 32%;¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.82 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 2H), 7.51-7.42 (m, 3H),7.20 (m, 1H), 6.74 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 6.59 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 5.82 (m,1H), 5.23-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.5 (d, J=7.65 Hz, 1H), 4.26 (m, 1H), 3.13-1.25(m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 166.9, 143.3, 139.2, 135.2, 134.5,131.5, 130.7, 128.6, 127.0, 125.0, 119.2, 118.1, 117.5, 93.3, 70.2,62.5, 57.8, 49.8, 47.2, 43.6, 31.7, 28.9, 23.2, 22.7 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z(%) 433 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₂₉N₂O₄ (MH+), 433.2127. Found,433.2125.

SMGP 22: SMGP 22 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-toluic acid, BOP and DIEA in DCMfollowed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 49%;¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.67 (m, 2H), 7.51 (s, 1H), 7.35 (d, J=8.1Hz, 1H), 6.71 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.82 (m, 1H),5.23-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.55 (d, J=7.05 Hz, 1H), 4.06 (m, 1H), 3.36-1.5 (m,16H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 167.3, 143.1, 139.3, 138.4, 135.2,134.4, 132.3, 130.7, 128.4, 127.8, 124.8, 123.9, 119.2, 118.1, 117.6,93.3, 70.2, 62.5, 57.8, 50.2, 47.3, 43.6, 31.5, 29.1, 23.5, 22.7, 21.4ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 447 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₇H₃₁N₂O₄ (MH+),447.2284. Found, 447.2290.

SMGP 23: SMGP 23 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-trifluorotoluic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:69%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 8.01 (s, 3H), 8.0 (m, 1H), 7.89-7.88 (m,1H), 7.65 (m, 1H), 7.45 (m, 1H), 6.62 (d, J=8.15 Hz, 1H), 6.5 (d, J=8.15Hz, 1H), 5.78-5.74 (m, 1H), 5.2-5.13 (m, 2H), 4.67 (d, J=6.15 Hz, 1H),4.11-4.02 (m, 1H), 3.54-1.24 (m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, Methanol-d4) δ165.7, 142.9, 139.2, 136.1, 135.2, 134.6, 131.5, 130.5, 129.8, 127.5,125.1, 124.7, 119.3, 118.1, 117.6, 92.7, 70.3, 62.4, 57.8, 50.5, 47.2,43.6, 31.6, 29.0, 23.2, 22.7 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z (%) 501 (MH+). HRMS calcdfor C₂₇H₂₈N₂O₄F₃ (MH+), 501.2001. Found, 501.2004.

SMGP 24: SMGP 24 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-anisic acid, BOP and DIEA in DCMfollowed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 60%;¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.56 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.39-7.26 (m, 3H), 7.0(m, 1H), 6.72 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.78-5.74 (m,1H), 5.24-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.52 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 4.12-4.11 (m, 1H), 3.78(s, 3H), 3.72-1.25 (m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, Methanol-d4) δ 170.0,161.3, 143.8, 143.1, 136.9, 130.7, 127.9, 126.6, 121.8, 121, 120.5,119.8, 118.6, 113.7, 91.9, 71.4, 64.7, 55.9, 53.2, 49.3, 47.6, 31.1,29.0, 24.6, 24.1 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z (%) 463 (MH+). HRMS calcd forC₂₇H₃₁N₂O₅ (MH+), 463.2233. Found, 463.2232.

SMGP 25: SMGP 25 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-amino benzoic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:30%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.2-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.1 (d, J=7.95 Hz,1H), 6.90 (d, J=7.95 Hz, 1H), 6.8 (d, J=7.95 Hz, 1H), 6.75 (d, J=8.1 Hz,1H), 6.69 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.81-5.8 (m, 1H), 5.19-5.16 (m, 2H), 4.46(d, J=5.85 Hz, 1H), 4.21-4.19 (m, 1H), 3.48-1.22 (m, 16H). MS (ESI) m/z(%) 448 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₃₀N₃O₄ (MH+), 448.2236. Found,448.2230.

SMGP 26: SMGP 26 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-dimethylamino benzoic acid, BOPand DIEA in DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained.Yield: 60%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 7.63 (s, 1H), 7.53 (d, J=6.0 Hz,1H), 7.47 (t, J=6.8 Hz, 1H), 7.33 (dd, J=6.8, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.77 (s, 1H),6.76 (s, 1H), 5.93 (m, 1H), 5.68 (d, J=14.5 Hz, 1H), 5.62 (d, J=8.5 Hz,1H), 4.81 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 3.95-1.55 (m, 23H) ppm. MS (ESI) m/z (%)476 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₈H₃₄N₃O₄ (MH+), 476.2549. Found, 476.2544.

SMGP 27: SMGP 27 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-hydroxy benzoic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:39%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.44 (m, 3H), 7.3-7.28 (m, 2H), 6.99 (d,J=7.75 Hz, 1H), 6.71 (d, J=7.75 Hz, 1H), 6.6 (d, J=7.75 Hz, 1H),5.82-5.8 (m, 1H), 5.22-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, J=7.75 Hz, 1H), 4.062 (m,1H), 3.51-1.51 (m, 14H). MS (ESI) m/z (%) 449 (MH+). HRMS calcd forC₂₆H₂₉N₂O₅ (MH+), 449.2076. Found, 449.2080.

SMGP 28: SMGP 28 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3-nitro benzoic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:59%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 8.68 (s, 1H), 8.36-8.34 (m, 1H), 8.22(d, J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 7.67-7.63 (m, 2H), 6.69 (d, J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 6.58 (d,J=11.8 Hz, 1H), 5.81 (m, 1H), 5.2-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.59 (d, J=9.8 Hz, 1H),4.27 (m, 1H), 3.14-1.25 (m, 14H). MS(ESI) m/z (%) 478 (MH+). HRMS calcdfor C₂₆H₂₈N₃O₆ (MH+), 479.1978. Found, 478.1967.

SMGP 29: SMGP 29 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzoic acid,BOP and DIEA in DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid wasobtained. Yield: 79%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.87 (d, J=11.75 Hz,1H), 7.44 (d, J=11.75 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 6.72 (d, J=11.75 Hz, 1H),6.58 (d, J=11.75 Hz, 1H), 5.81 (m, 1H), 5.23-5.16 (m, 2H), 4.53 (d,J=9.8 Hz, 1H), 4.24 (m, 1H), 3.33-1.28 (m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz,Methanol-d4) δ 168.7, 152.8, 143.8, 143.2, 134.5, 130.6, 127.9, 126.6,122.7, 121.8, 121.0, 119.7, 91.9, 71.4, 64.7, 56.7, 53.3, 48.3, 47.6,31.1, 28.9, 24.6, 24.1 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z (%) 517 (MH+). HRMS calcd forC₂₇H₂₈N₂O₅F₃ (MH+), 517.1950. Found, 517.1956.

SMGP30: Compound SMGP30 was synthesized according to the generalprocedure (II) described above using β-naloxamine, 4-butoxybenzoic acid,BOP and DIEA in DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid wasobtained. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.77-7.75 (d, 2H), 7.22 (d, 1H), 6.88-6.86 (d, 2H),6.73-6.71 (d, 1H), 6.57-6.55 (d, 1H), 5.79 (m, 1H), 5.22-5.15 (m, 2H),4.52 (d, 1H), 4.17 (m, 1H), 3.99 (t, 2H), 3.47-0.97 (m, 21H) ESI-MS m/z:503.24 (MH⁻).

SMGP34: SMGP34 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 3,4-diiodobenzoic acid, BOP and DIEAin DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield:63%; ¹H-NMR δ: 8.29 (s, 1H), 7.91 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (d, J=9.1 Hz1H), 6.7 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 6.66 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.85 (m, 1H), 5.18(m, 2H), 4.61 (d, J=5 Hz, 1H), 4.08 (m, 1H), 3.85 (s, 2H), 3.15-0.1 (m,14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 164.9, 142.1, 139.3, 139.2, 137.9,135.1, 130.4, 127.5, 124.5, 119.5, 118.2, 117.6, 112.1, 108.2, 92.4,70.4, 62.4, 57.8, 51.4, 47.3, 43.6, 31.2, 29.5, 23.5, 22.7 ppm. MS(ESI)m/z (%) 685 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₂₇N₂O₄I₂ (MH+), 685.0060. Found,685.0052.

SMGP35: Compound SMGP35 was synthesized according to the generalprocedure (I) described above using β-naloxamine, NHS ester of3,4,5-triiodobenzoic acid, and DIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained.¹H-NMR δ: 8.57 (s, 2H), 6.88-6.87 (d, 1H), 6.72-6.7 (d, 1H), 5.83-5.76(m, 1H), 5.22-5.15 (m, 2H), 4.34 (d, 1H), 4.0 (m, 1H), 3.14-1.5 (m, 14H)ESI-MS m/z: 810.92 (MH⁺).

SMGP36: Compound SMGP36 was synthesized according to the generalprocedure (I) described above using β-naloxamine, NHS ester of1,4-benzodioxane-6-carboxylic acid, and DIEA in DCM. A white solid wasobtained. ¹H-NMR δ: 7.36 (s, 1H), 7.31-7.3 (d, 1H), 7.05-7.03 (d, 1H),6.88-6.87 (d, 1H), 6.73-6.72 (d, 1H), 6.58-6.56 (d, 1H), 5.84-5.76 (m,1H), 5.22-5.16 (m, 2H), 4.49-4.48 (d, 1H), 4.28-4.27 (m, 4H), 4.1 (m,1H), 3.49-1.24 (m, 14H) ESI-MS m/z: 491.10 (MH⁺).

SMGP40: SMGP40 was synthesized according to the general procedure (I)described above using β-naloxamine, NHS ester of biphenyl-4-carboxylicacid, and DIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 85%; ¹H-NMR(500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.89 (d, J=8.15 Hz, 2H), 7.66-7.61 (m, 4H), 7.46 (m,3H), 7.38 (m, 1H), 6.74 (d, J=8.15 Hz, 1H), 6.61 (d, J=8.15 Hz, 1H),5.82-5.79 (m, 1H), 5.23-5.17 (m, 2H), 4.53-4.52 (d, J=5.15 Hz, 1H),4.31-4.29 (m, 1H), 3.15-1.25 (m, 14H). ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 166.7,144.2, 143.2, 140.1, 139.2, 135.2, 133.1, 130.6, 128.9, 128.0, 127.6,127.2, 119.2, 118.1, 117.6, 92.9, 70.2, 62.5, 57.8, 50.1, 47.2, 43.6,31.7, 31.0, 28.9, 23.2, 22.7 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z: 509.09 (MH⁺). HRMS calcdfor C₃₂H₃₃N₂O₄ (MH+), 509.2440. Found, 509.2423.

SMGP41: SMGP41 was synthesized according to the general procedure (I)described above using β-naloxamine, NHS ester ofnaphthalene-2-carboxylic acid, and DIEA in DCM. A white solid wasobtained. Yield: 89%; ¹H-NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ:

δ 8.17 (s, 1H), 7.78-7.70 (m, 4H), 7.47 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (t,J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 6.91 (d, J=8.8 Hz, 1H), 6.73 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.51 (d,J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 5.79 (m, 1H), 5.16 (m, 2H), 4.80 (m, 1H), 4.73 (d, J=4.3Hz, 1H), 3.10-1.05 (m, 15H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, Methanol-d4) δ 170.0,147.5, 140.4, 136.4, 134.0, 132.3, 130.1, 129.3, 129.1, 129.0, 128.8,127.9, 125.1, 123.4, 121.0, 119.6, 89.7, 71.4, 71.0, 63.9, 57.0, 47.7,47.2, 47.0, 31.8, 30.7, 24.6, 20.9 ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 483 (MH+). HRMScalcd for C30H31N2O4 (MH+), 483.2284. Found, 483.2293.

SMGP42: Compound SMGP42 was synthesized according to the generalprocedure (I) described above using β-naloxamine, NHS ester of4-cyclohexylbenzoic acid, and DIEA in DCM. A white solid was obtained.¹H-NMR δ: 8.11-8.09 (d, 1H), 7.75-7.73 (d, 2H), 7.26 (d, 2H), 6.73-6.71(d, 1H), 6.57-6.55 (d, 1H), 5.81 (m, 1H), 5.19 (m, 2H), 4.51 (d, 1H),4.2 (m, 1H), 3.11-1.1 (m, 14H) ESI-MS m/z: 515.35 (MH⁺).

SMGP54: SMGP54 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, acetic acid, BOP and DIEA in DCMfollowed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 33%; ¹HNMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.70 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.56 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H),5.96 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (m, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=17.8 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (d,J=10.5 Hz, 1H), 4.33 (d, J=6.5 Hz, 1H), 3.89 (m, 1H), 3.15-0.80 (m, 18H)ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 371 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₁H₂₇N₂O₄ (MH+),371.1971. Found, 371.1965.

SMGP55: SMGP55 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, hexanoic acid, BOP and DIEA in DCMfollowed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 50%; ¹HNMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.71 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H),6.07 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 5.77 (m, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (d,J=10.1 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (m, 1H), 3.15-0.80 (m, 26H)ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 427 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₃₅N₂O₄ (MH+),427.2597. Found, 427.2591.

SMGP56: SMGP56 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, dodecanoic acid, BOP and DIEA in DCMfollowed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 35%; ¹HNMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.71 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H),6.07 (d, J=9.2 Hz, 1H), 5.76 (m, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (d,J=10.1 Hz, 1H), 4.34 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.91 (m, 1H), 3.10-0.86 (m, 38H)ppm. MS(ESI) m/z (%) 511 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₃₁H₄₇N₂O₄(MH+),511.3536. Found, 511.3550.

SMGP57: SMGP57 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, cyclohexanoic acid, BOP and DIEA inDCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained. Yield: 33%;¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃): δ 6.71 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d, J=8.0 Hz,1H), 6.14 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1H), 5.77 (m, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=17.4 Hz, 1H), 5.14(d, J=10.0 Hz, 1H), 4.33 (d, J=6.1 Hz, 1H), 3.93 (m, 1H), 3.15-0.80 (m,26H) ppm. ¹³C NMR (600 MHz, CDCl₃) δ 176.0, 143.1, 139.5, 135.3, 130.8,124.7, 119.1, 118.0, 117.6, 93.7, 70.1, 62.5, 57.7, 49.7, 47.3, 45.7,43.6, 31.3, 29.7, 29.6, 29.3, 25.8, 25.7, 23.6, 22.7 ppm. MS (ESI) m/z(%) 439 (MH+). HRMS calcd for C₂₆H₃₅N₂O₄ (MH+), 439.2597. Found,439.2602.

SMGP58: SMGP58 was synthesized according to the general procedure (II)described above using β-naloxamine, 1-Adamantyl carboxylic acid, BOP andDIEA in DCM followed by base hydrolysis. A white solid was obtained.Yield: 26%; ¹H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 6.71 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.55 (d,J=8.2 Hz, 1H), 6.22 (d, J=9.5 Hz, 1H), 5.77 (m, 1H), 5.28 (s, 1H), 5.18(d, J=17.2 Hz, 1H), 5.14 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 4.31 (d, J=5.9 Hz, 1H),3.97 (m, 1H), 3.15-0.76 (m, 29H) ppm. MS (ESI) m/z (%) 491 (MH+). HRMScalcd for C₃₀H₃₉N₂O₄ (MH+), 491.2910. Found, 491.2912.

1. A compound of formula I

wherein R¹ is chosen from (a) C₂-C₁₀ hydrocarbon other thancyclopropylmethyl; and (b) —CH₂—Het, wherein Het is a five- orsix-membered heterocycle; R² is chosen from hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)acyl,(C₁-C₆)oxaalkyl, and (C₁-C₆)acyloxaalky; R³ is chosen from hydrogen and(C₁-C₆)alkyl; R⁴ is chosen from (a) phenyl substituted at other than 2or 6 with from one to three substituents chosen from amino, bromo,chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; (b) optionally substitutednaphthylene; (c) optionally substituted anthracene; (d) optionallysubstituted aromatic heterocycle; R⁸ is chosen from hydrogen and(C₁-C₆)alkyl; R¹⁰ is optionally substituted phenyl, optionallysubstituted aromatic heterocycle or optionally substituted non-aromaticoxygen or sulfur heterocycle; wherein the substituents on naphthylene,anthracene, heterocycle or R¹⁰ are chosen independently from halogen,hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)acyl and (C₁-C₃)alkoxy.
 2. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein R¹ is cyclobutylmethyl or allyl; R³ ishydrogen or methyl; R⁴ is chosen from (a) phenyl substituted at otherthan 2 or 6 with from one to three substituents chosen from amino,bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; (b) optionallysubstituted naphthylene; (c) optionally substituted anthracene; (d)aromatic heterocycle chosen from pyridine, thiophene, furan and pyrroleoptionally substituted with from one to three substituents chosen frombromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)halo alkoxy and (C₁-C₃)alkoxy; and R⁸ is hydrogen.
 3. Acompound of formula II

wherein R² is chosen from hydrogen, (C₁-C₆)acyl, (C₁-C₆)oxaalkyl, and(C₁-C₆)acyloxaalkyl; R³ is chosen from hydrogen and (C₁-C₆)alkyl; R^(4a)is chosen from

wherein R^(5a) is chosen from amino, bromo, chloro, iodo, cyano,(C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₂-C₃)alkoxy andR¹⁰;

wherein R^(6a) is chosen from hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₂-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰;

wherein R⁵ is chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; and R^(6b)is chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰, or, taken together, R⁵and R^(6b) are alkylenedioxy, with the proviso that both R⁵ and R^(6b)are not chloro or fluoro;

wherein R^(5b) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro,cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxyand R¹⁰; R⁶ is chosen from hydrogen, halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano,(C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy andR¹⁰; R⁷ is chosen from halogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; and (e)napthylene substituted with from one to three substituents chosen fromhalogen, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; (f) anthracene optionallysubstituted with from one to three substituents chosen from halogen,hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; (g) aromatic heterocycle otherthan unsubstituted pyridine, quinoline or isoquinoline, optionallysubstituted with from one to three substituents chosen from halogen,hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰; R⁸ is chosen from hydrogen and(C₁-C₆)alkyl; and R¹⁰ is optionally substituted phenyl, optionallysubstituted aromatic heterocycle or optionally substituted non-aromaticoxygen or sulfur heterocycle; wherein the substituents on naphthylene,anthracene, heterocycle or R¹⁰ are independently chosen from halogen,hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)acyl and (C₁-C₃)alkoxy.
 4. A compoundaccording to claim 1 wherein the amide substituent at the oxymorphone 6position is in the β configuration and R⁸ is hydrogen:


5. A compound according to claim 4 wherein R² is H.
 6. A compoundaccording to claim 4 wherein R² is chosen from CH₃, acetyl,acetoxymethyl, —CH₂OC(═O)C(CH₃)₃ and —CH₂OC(═O)OCH₃.
 7. A compoundaccording to claim 4 wherein R³ is H.
 8. A compound according to claim 4wherein R³ is CH₃.
 9. A compound according to claim 4 wherein R⁴ orR^(4a) is

wherein R^(5a) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, (C₁-C₃)haloalkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₂-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰.
 10. A compound according toclaim 9 wherein R^(5a) is chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy and R¹⁰, and R¹⁰ is chosen fromphenyl, furanyl and thiophenyl optionally substituted with one to threesubstituents independently chosen from halogen, methyl, trifluoromethyl,methoxy, trifluoromethoxy and acetyl.
 11. A compound according to claim4 wherein R⁴ is

wherein R⁵ is chosen from halogen, nitro, cyano, methyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, phenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl;and R^(6b) is chosen from halogen, nitro, cyano, methyl,trifluoromethyl, trifluoromethoxy, methoxy, phenyl, thiophenyl, furanyl,with the proviso that both R⁵ and R^(6b) are not phenyl or heteroaryl.12. A compound according to claim 2 wherein the amide substituent at theoxymorphone 6 position is in the β configuration and R⁴ is phenylsubstituted at other than 2 or 6 with from one to three substituentschosen from bromo, chloro, iodo, hydroxy, nitro, cyano, (C₁-C₃)alkyl,(C₁-C₃)haloalkyl, (C₁-C₃)haloalkoxy, (C₁-C₃)alkoxy and R¹⁰.
 13. Acompound according to claim 12 wherein R⁴ is phenyl substituted at the3- and 4-positions with two substituents chosen independently frombromo, chloro, iodo, methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy andtrifluoromethoxy.
 14. A compound according to claim 13 wherein R¹ isallyl; R² is H; R³ is hydrogen and R⁴ is 3,4-diiodophenyl.
 15. Acompound according to claim 12 wherein R⁴ is phenyl substituted at the3- or 4-position with a substituent chosen from bromo, chloro, iodo,methyl, trifluoromethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethoxy and R¹⁰, and R¹⁰ ischosen from phenyl, furanyl and thiophenyl optionally substituted withone to three substituents independently chosen from halogen, methyl,trifluoromethyl, methoxy, trifluoromethoxy, methylenedioxy and acetyl.16. A compound according to claim 10 wherein R⁴ is 3-iodophenyl.
 17. Acompound according to claim 2 wherein the amide substituent at theoxymorphone 6 position is in the β configuration and R⁴ is optionallysubstituted quinoline.
 18. A method for reducing pain comprisingadministering to a subject suffering from pain an amount of a compoundaccording to claim 1 effective to reduce pain.
 19. A method for assayingfor the kappa3 receptor comprising exposing a tissue to a radiolabeledcompound according to claim 1, rinsing said tissue and measuring theamount and/or location of said radiolabeled compound in said tissue. 20.A method for assaying for an opioid-like receptor comprising exposing alabeled compound according to claim 14 to a source of receptor in vitroor in vivo, and measuring the amount and/or location of said labeledcompound bound to the receptor.